Cycle News Staff | December 7, 2022
The Australian Supercross Championship concluded its four-round series December 3 at the Wagga Wagga Motorcycle Sports Club in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Aussie native Matt Moss took home the SX1 win, while Canadian Cole Thompson grabbed top honors in SX2.
The championships, however, went to both Honda Genuine Racing riders Justin Brayton and Max Anstie.
Justin Brayton (center) wrapped up the SX1 Australian Supercross Championship.
The hard-packed race surface created close racing for the season finale, which took place during the day. It was a Yamaha sweep of race one as Matt Moss claimed victory ahead of American Josh Hill and Aaron Tanti. Tanti was cleared to ride earlier in the week following a big crash at round three and jumped right back to the podium. Brayton was a distant fourth in race one, finishing more than 20 seconds back from the podium trio.
Race two was all or nothing as it ultimately decided the championship. Moss needed to space himself from Brayton to take the title, but it was Tanti, who again found himself at the front of the field. The Australian duo of Tanti and Moss finished first and second, respectively, while Hill and Brayton went 3-4. This gave Moss the overall win, Tanti second and Hill third. Brayton’s 4-4 was enough to wrap up the SX1 title by just one point. This is the Iowa native’s fifth Australian SX1 championship.
Anstie had previously won every round leading up to the Wagga Wagga finale and sat 19 points clear of second place. He set the fastest lap of qualifying but took a nasty spill during his heat race. Anstie won race one by nine seconds thanks to his whoop speed and willingness to jump an oversized quad rhythm lap after lap.
A poor start in race two meant he had his work cut out for him, but the veteran Brit settled for fourth, which ended his win streak. But a third overall finish on the night still handed Anstie the SX2 Championship. Anstie’s teammate, Wilson Todd, claimed victory in race two but finished fourth overall at round four.
Cole Thompson piloted the Serco Yamaha to the overall win with 3-2 scores on the night. He finished second overall in the series championship.
Nathan Crawford put on an impressive night of racing, finishing second and third for second overall. Crawford earned third in the series points. CN
SX1
- Matt Moss (Yam) 1-2
- Aaron Tanti (Yam) 3-1
- Josh Hill (Yam) 2-3
SX2
- Cole Thompson (Yam) 3-2
- Nathan Crawford (KTM) 2-3
- Max Anstie (Hon) 1-4
